Commonwealth Games gold medalist James Gibson was back at Loughbrough University today soon after scooping another major award.

The 22-year-old Witham swimmer took the top honour at the BBC Essex 2002 Sports Achievers Awards, presented in association with Ridley's, the Essex Brewer, before a packed house at Chelmsford's Waterfront Place.

Gibson, currently training hard for a major event in America, was nominated for the award after winning gold in the Commonwealth 50m and bronze in the 100m breaststroke events at Manchester in early August.

Colchester's World Championship Petanque French Boules ace and England international Michelle Tarbun claimed the top prize in The Sporting Achievement Award for people who have demonstrated continued success in their sport.

Commonwealth Games long jumper Sarah Claxton, also from Colchester, was highly commended as one of three nominees for this award following her exploits on the athletics track in which she has won eight AAA titles at Under-20 and Under-23 levels and has also competed in various European and World events.

Wild Water World Championship canoist Ben Fox, 16, of Braintree, was one of the nominees for The Young Competitor Award, won by Thaxted's British National Karate champion Joanne Bonnar

And 67-year-old Gordon Chamberlain, who for the past 30 years has been heavily involved with Fingringhoe Football Club for youngsters under 16, just missed out on The Long Term Achievement Award.

Published Friday October 11, 2002

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